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| Introducing Greek Composer/Pianist Dionysis Boukouvalas  Dionysis Boukouvalas' first personal CD, English Gardens (self publication, 2011), consists of piano solo improvisations. Recorded at various times and places (between 2004 and 2008), the music symbolizes the completion of a first creative cycle for the artist, characterized by spontaneousness and sweet melancholy. The title of the CD makes reference to the type of English garden, which, in contrast to the symmetrical French garden, is free and adventurous. Apart from the evocation to the magical atmosphere of the garden, it serves as a symbol to free improvisation.The CD received positive feedback from various artists, including Ketil Bjørnstad. The CD has a double artistic value, since the artwork was created by Thalia Xenaki, a graduate of the Athens school of fine arts. The mastering was made by Themis Pantelopoulos (of Triple Bath records). More information can be found at the composer's website HERE To buy a (digital or physical) copy of the CD Go HERE About Dionysis Boukouvalas He was born in Athens, Greece in 1979 and grew up in the isle of Zakynthos (Zante). He started studying piano and music theory at the age of nine. He has written music for the stage (A midsummer night's dream, Momo), film music (pianno, dir. Giorgos Efthimiou, The cat and the canary, dir. Paul Leni), modern dance (All the way, Iliessa dance company), literary tributes (Tribute to the French existential philosophers), etc. He has composed numerous songs on poetry of Ugo Foscolo, Edgar Allan Poe et al. Recent world premieres of his works include [2012] Winter concords, for ensemble, with Rob Haskins (New Hampshire, USA), Fantasy on a theme by Steve Reich, for piano 6 hands, with Steve Reich (Bristol, UK), Sunbeams, for clarinet, viola and piano (Druskininkai, Lithuania) – [2013] Music for a non-existent film, for 2 pianos, 8 hands (Vilnius, Lithuania) and Etude, for the dissonArt ensemble (Thessaloniki, Greece). Apart from art music, he is occupied with popular song, having set to music lyrics and poetry, including verse by C.P. Cavafy. He is particularly interested in improvisation, having given five solo concerts since 2004, including two at the Zante Jazz Festival (2009 and 2011) and one at the "Ionian Concerts" Corfu Festival (2011). write your comments about the article :: © 2014 Jazz News :: home page |